Pamela Hird

Funeral service for Pamela Sue Hird, 56, Lawrence will be 2 p.m., Monday, January 25, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church.   Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.  She died at her home on January 21, 2010, surrounded by loving family and friends.

She was born March 16, 1953, in Lawrence, KS, the daughter of Irene Maxine (Hoover) and Carl Hird, Jr.

She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1971.  She received her Bachelor’s degree from Bethany College in 1975, and her Master’s Degree from the University of Kansas in 1983.  She was employed by Lawrence Parks and Recreation, the Holiday Park Pool, Yellowstone National Park, Arizona Social Services, and as an Elementary Physical Education Teacher in the Olathe School District for 27 years.  She retired in 2002 from the Olathe and Lawrence School Districts.  In 2002, she assumed ownership of Curves for women Fitness Center.  She was a member of the Bethany Interscholastic Volleyball team, Alpha Theta Chi sorority, N.E.A., A.A.H.P.E.R.D., Relay for Life, Toys for Tots, and Jump Rope for Heart.

She is survived by a loving extended family of first cousins, dear friends, and decades of students.  She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Steven.

The family will greet friends from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, January 24, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Lawrence Humane Society or Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation and Hospice Care and sent in care of the mortuary.

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Pamela Sue Hird was born March 16, 1953. She was an exceptionally beautiful child, complete with blonde curls and dimples.

Pam was age five at the 50th anniversary party of her Hoover grandparents.

Pam’s school history:

K-6: Lawrence Hillcrest Grade School

7-9: Lawrence West Jr. High School

10-12: Lawrence High School

Bachelor’s Degree: Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS – 1975

Master’s Degree: Kansas University – 1983

"Miss Hird" taught elementary physical education for 27 years in Lawrence and Olathe. Her basement held a dozen boxes of student papers, lesson plans, and piles of cards and notes from the kids. She was very much loved by the children in her classes. In 1999 after retiring from teaching, Pam bought and managed a Curves, Exercise for Women facility.

Nancy Smelser was Pam’s best friend beginning their sophomore year of high school. Pam was maid of honor when Nancy and Alan married, and later Pam was a special person for their children, Scott, Mark and Grant. During chemo treatments for ovarian cancer, Pam cut off her hair. Nancy cut off her long curls at the same time. A definition of friendship. Pam fought the cancer for over two years with optimism, courage and hope. She said she would not whine about it, and she didn’t.

Pam traveled to Sedona, AZ on several occasions to have time with cousin Carol. After Steven’s death in August, cousin Ron funded a flight to Sedona for a 5-day "bucket list". After making peach jam, having a champagne brunch at Enchantment, enjoying a manicure and pedicure, and swimming and floating around the pool, Pam added a bit of drama to the week with a frantic call to 911. That was followed by surgery and six weeks of recovery before her return to Amy Kitty and Lawrence.

Four Hird cousins and sixteen Hoover cousins were a big part of her life. Many of the Hoover cousins and their spouses, along with the Hird cousins Rick and Greg, assisted Pam in the last months of her life. Weekly Tuesday evening family/friend dinners were enjoyed by all, especially Pam.

Pam was given "gifts" by those that loved her, and she’d want them to be recognized for their extensive efforts:

Rick Hird (legal)

John Steele (home construction completion)

Judy Saathoff (daily contact and support; family dinner coordination)

Grant Smelser (months of home, Amy and Pam care)

Carol Redenbaugh (financial management and caregiving)

Linda Steele (caregiving and picture presentations)

Roger Redenbaugh (home projects)

Joe Zelinski (long time friend, Boy-Friday, transportation to Chemo)

Alan Smelser (loads and loads of firewood and weeks and weeks without Nancy)

but, most of all, Nancy Smelser, for being there for Pam all of her life and especially the last two months of extensive caregiving, love and encouragement – all with a wonderful sense of humor.

A special note to all those who attended Tuesday eve dinners – you have no idea how much she looked forward to those. Thanks Marty and Pat, Joe, Judy and gang, Nancy and family, Carol and Roger, Jana and Randy, Rick and Deb, Greg and Joan, Linda and John, and others.